HILLSVILLE –– For the second time in three years, Carroll County entered regional tournament play undefeated as the Cavaliers took down Richlands for the Southwest District tournament championship Thursday at CCHS.

After winning a sloppy first game and seeing Richlands take the second game, the Cavaliers (22-0) regrouped and coasted the rest of the way for a 25-22, 25-27, 25-14, 25-15 win.

Richlands bolted to a 10-1 lead in the first set on three aces and five Carroll County errors before the Cavaliers got things turned around and gradually began reeling in the Blue Tornado.

Maleah Neely’s push into an open spot and three straight net plays by Lauren Roper finally put Carroll County into the lead for the first time, 19-17. The teams traded points the rest of the way until Neely’s smash ended the game and put the Cavaliers up by one set.

Sarah Singleton’s kill and a block by Neely had Carroll a point away from taking a two-set lead when Richlands rallied with kills by Chelsea Asbury and Jordyn Cole to knot the game at 24.

An errant Richlands serve put the Cavaliers once again at game point but Catherine Smith’s tip and a missed Cavalier hitting attempt gave the Tornado the game, squaring the match at 1-1.

From then on it was all Carroll County. The Cavalries used kills by Neely, Lexi Hodge and Dionna Reece to jump out to a 9-4 lead and gradually pull away, then capped the night with an easy 10-point win in the fourth.

Carroll County owned the net with 60 kills and 19 blocks, led by double-digit hitting nights by Neely, Reece and Roper.

Neely finished with 19 kills, three blocks, 15 digs and 17 assists while Reece had 13 kills and our blocks. Roper was big in the middle with seven blocks and 10 kills.